There’s not much known about this early Ames steam engine except it has a poor boiler design

Though this 1885 Ames portable steam engine doesn't run, it still attracts attention at the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion. Small compared to later engines, this model was designed to be pulled by horses from site to site.

Judging by the 36-inch boiler, this 1885 Ames portable steam engine is a 12 hp model. Other Ames portables had boilers 44, 48 and 54 inches in diameter.

Nikki Rajala

The Ames is a single-cylinder, return-flue engine.

Bill Vossler

Perched high on top of the Ames, the engineer would have had a clear view of the action.

Bill Vossler

The Ames boiler's steam pressure gauge shows in this photo. The Ames ran from 100 to 150 psi, depending on the boiler, not much compared to bigger, later steamers.

Bill Vossler

Ames steam boilers had many purposes, as indicated by this one, designed for industrial use.

Bill Vossler

Horizontal tubular boilers manufactured by Ames came in 100-, 125- and 150-pound capacities.

Bill Vossler

Ames Bulletin No. 58 shows an early Ames horizontal tubular boiler that could take 100 pounds of steam.